Tie markers



March 20, 1962 J. w. MINTER TIE MARKERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 19, 1958 FIG. 3

FIG. 2

FIG. 6

FIG. 4

V n E w T R Rm 3 mM W N NW M5 ,0 f M M V B March 20, 1962 J. w. MlNTER 3,025,528

' TIE MARKERS Filed May 19, 1958 2 Sheets-$heet 2 M/l/E/VTOR JAMES W M/NTER ATTORNEY United States This invention relates to jewelry and more specifically to jewelry of the functional type particularly adapted to aid in the tying of neckties.

Neckties, particularly those of the so-called four-inhand type, are often difiicult to tie. It is desired that a neat, well formed knot be produced. When such a tie is used repeatedly and the knot is formed first in one location and then in another, the dimple (formed in the upper part of the large end of the tie directly under the knot) is first on one side and then on the other, producing a tendency of the front face (large end) of the tie to lie at an angle to the rear face rather than parallel thereto. Furthermore, when a tie is not of resilient material, permanent or semi-permanent folds and creases are produced in the tie by repeated use and when these appear below the knot the tie does not give a well-groomed appearance.

It is an object of the present invention to expedite the tying of a neat, well-formed, knot and to ensure that such knot appears in the same location in the tie each time. Furthermore, it is an object to produce either even ends of the tie or a correct length of the front face thereof, each time it is used.

The above and related objects are attained in accordance with the invention by providing a metal tie marker having hinged jaws adapted to clamp over a selected portion of the tie fabric. One of the jaws has a projecting tip which pierces the fabric and seats within an aperture in the other jaw. The apertured jaw is covered with a member which protects the fabric of the tie and of the shirt from snags. In one embodiment, a shell-like dome is attached to each of the jaws to ensure that the marker does not snag anything as it moves over the shirt. A second embodiment has a dome over the apertured jaw but the jaw having the projecting tip is provided with a grooved member to serve as a more positive guide in loeating the tie knot. A third embodiment also uses the grooved member to protect the material from snagging. A fourth embodiment is a more elaborate version of the second embodiment, featuring a small spring clip within the metal dome to engage and grasp the tip.

The tie marker is used by applying it to a fixed spot on the tie, preferably just above the knot where it can be hidden under the collar.

The invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 shows how the tie marker of this invention is positioned on the tie;

FIGS. 2 through 5 show the position of the marker during successive stages of the knot-tying process;

FIG. 6 shows the completed knot with the marker under the collar;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are plan, front and section views, respectively, of one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are plan, front section and rear views, respectively, of a second embodiment thereof;

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are plan, front and section views, respectively, of a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are respectively plan, front (with portions broken away) and right end views of a fourth embodiment thereof.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7 0 show one embodiment of a tie marker 10 in accordance with the invention. The member 10, which,

atent by way of example, can be soft brass, comprises a pair of jaws 11 and 12 connected at 13 by a hinge of the same material, the hinge being made possible by its natural resiliency. The upper jaw 11 has an aperture 14 therein through which projects one or more tips or pins 15 on the jaw 12 when the jaws are closed. A pin 15 may be formed by bending upward a cut-out portion of the jaw 12. To protect the material of the tie and shirt of the wearer (and also the flesh of the latter) a convex dome 16 forms part of the upper jaw. To further facilitate the smooth movement of the marker over the shirt material, a similar convex dome 17 forms part of the lower jaw 12.

To properly install the marker 10, it is first necessary to tie a properly located knot 22 in the tie 20 (see FIG. 1) in the usual manner. After this, the knot is loosened slightly so that there is enough room to install the marker 10 on the front face (large end) 21 of the tie, above and adjacent to the knot 22. The marker 10 is installed by pressing it over the edge of the tie so that the interior pin 15 engages the cloth of the tie 20 properly.

In order to tie the necktie on subsequent occasions with the marker 10 installed on it, the wearer proceeds, as shown in FIG. 2, to place the tie around the collar 23, the large end 21 of the tie being adjusted so that the marker 10 is slightly above the back face (small end) 24 of the tie at the crossover. The necktie can then be tied in the normal manner, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and *5, to produce the completed knot shown in FIG. 1. The knot is then tightened snugly against the collar and the marker 10 disappears beneath the collar where it remains concealed. The marker 10 is left affixed for the life of the tie or until it is desired to change the location of the knot. The two ends of the tie are always approximately even ifit is tied as described above and this is the desire of the wearer.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C show a second embodiment of the invention. This is similar to that of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C except that the convex member 17 is replaced by a grooved member 30, the groove serving as a more positive guide in locating the tie knot.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the jaw having the pin 15 comprises a flat plate 40 with one portion punched down to form the pin. The apertured jaw 41 has a protecting grooved member 42 which serves as a more positive guide in the same manner as the groove 36 in the second embodiment.

The embodiment of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C is a refinement and elaboration of the embodiment of FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C. The pivot 50 is provided herein (in the other three embodiments, the bending of the metal produces the necessary hinge action). Moreover, a spring clip 51, located Within the dome 52, and attached to the upper jaw 53, engages and grasps the pin 15 located on the grooved member 54 of the lower jaw. If desired, a dome or flat plate can replace the grooved member 54.

The invention is not limited to any specific material. Brass has been given as an example but any other suitable metal or other material, such as plastic, can be used instead.

Obviously, the four embodiments disclosed specifically herein are only four examples of many which can be provided in accordance with the teachings of this invention and it is intended to cover all such modifications in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a four-in-hand necktie, an article of jewelry serving as the single marker used to facilitate the tying of a neat, well-formed, knot in said necktie and to ensure that such knot appears in the same location in the tie each time, said article being customarily applied to the necktie by the wearer thereof, comprising a pair of hinged jaws adapted to engage a portion of the tie which is hidden bythe collar of the shirt of the wearer when the tie is correctly tied, one of said jaws having an aperture therein and the other having a pin positioned to project through said tie and through said aperture when the jaws are closed, said apertured jaw having means for forming a protecting cover completely thereover to protect the wearer and his clothes from snags.

2. The combination of elements as in claim 1 in which said means has a generally convex shape.

3. In combination with a f0ur-in-hand necktie, an article of jewelry serving as the single marker used to facilitate the tying of a neat, well-formed, knot in said necktie and to ensure that such knot appears in the same location in the tie each time, said article being customarily applied to the necktie by the wearer thereof, comprising a pair of hinged jaws adapted to engage a portion of the tie which is hidden by the collar of the shirt of the wearer when the tie is correctly tied, one of said jaws having an aperture therein and the other having a pin positioned to project through said tie and through said aperture when the jaws are closed, said apertured jaw having means of a generally convex shape for forming a protecting cover completely thereover to protect the wearer and his clothes from snags and said other jaw having means to provide free movement of said jaw over the shirt of the wearer.

4. The combination of elements as in claim 3 in which said last-mentioned means is of generally convex shape.

5. The combination of elements as in claim 3 in which said last-mentioned means has a groove therein to serve as a guide in locating the knot.

6. The combination of elements as in claim 1 in which said other jaw comprises a flat plate.

7. The combination of elements as in claim 1 in further combination with spring clasp means adjacent the aperture to grasp said pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 331,819 Raabe Dec. 8, 1885 670,045 Weber Mar. 19, 1901 671,243 Steinau Apr. 2, 1901 893,352 McGill July 14, 1908 1,271,607 Oppenheim July 9, 1918 1,917,651 Krakower July 11, 1933 2,207,119 Espasito July 9, 1940 2,499,260 Rhein Feb. 28, 1950 2,624,088 Zuckerrnan Jan. 6, 1953 

